A towing light is a yellow light having the same characteristics as a(n) __________.

A towing light is defined in the navigation rules as a yellow light with the same characteristics as a sternlight. Specifically, it acts as an indication of a vessel that is towing another vessel, which is critical for ensuring that other vessels are aware of the presence of the tow and can navigate accordingly. The sternlight, which is typically white in color and positioned towards the back of a vessel, includes characteristics such as intensity and visibility that the towing light must also exhibit in order to effectively communicate the activity of towing to other boats on the water.

The other options do not provide the same functional characteristics required for identifying a towing scenario. For instance, an anchor light is specifically designed to indicate that a vessel is at anchor, while floodlights serve a different purpose entirely, mainly providing illumination rather than serving as a navigation aid. Navigation lights encompass a broader category that includes various lights to indicate a vessel’s status and direction, but none of them specifically align with the towing function as directly as the sternlight does.